Pest Control Regulations and Qualifications: the Need-to-Knows

There are no specific qualifications that a pest controller needs to do their job. But the law does say that anyone using non-agricultural pesticides (biocides) needs to have appropriate:

  • Information
  • Instruction
  • Training

This includes being aware of and following certain legislation and regulations.

Pest control regulations

There are a few laws and regulations that a pest controller needs to adhere to to ensure their work is legal and safe:

Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR) and Control of Pesticides Regulations (COPR)

These two pieces of legislation regulate the kinds of pesticides that can be sold and used in the UK. These include products like insecticides and rodenticides. It’s the user’s responsibility to make sure that they’re using a legal pesticide in a safe way.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

This law says that it’s employers’ responsibility to control any hazardous substances they use. This is to prevent them from damaging the health of workers and others. Professionals can control the use of hazardous substances by:

  • Finding out the hazards of any substances they use
  • Making and implementing a risk assessment to prevent health damage
  • Provide information and training for workers and others

Pest control training and qualifications

So while there aren’t any specific credentials a pest controller needs to have, it’s a good sign if they have at least one relevant qualification.
The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) offer several pest control qualifications. These include:

It’s a good idea to check whether a pest control professional has qualifications from RSPH or another reputable provider. You can also ask them about the pest control regulations they follow if you need further reassurance.

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